Moistening apparatus



-Jan.5,1943. s KOKAY 2,307,591

MOISTENNG APPARATUS Filed Dec. 2, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ffy! l .Il

Jam.4 5, 1943. s. KK/w 2,307,591

MOISTENING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 2, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J7? Je?? for' s Jan. 5, 1943. s. OKAY ,2,307,591

MOISTENING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 2, v1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I1 m j@ lun Patented `tan. 5, 1943 ,sin

FifiQE MQISTENING APPARATUS Stephen Ielray, Chicago, ill., assigner to Ditto, Incorporated, Chicago, lll., a corporation of l.West Virginia Application December 2, 1939, Serial No. 307,246

9 Claims. (Cl. fil-48) This invention relates to moistening apparatus of a type adapted particularly for use in liquid process duplicating machines, in the operation of which copy sheets are fed into impression relationship with a master sheet, such copy sheets being irst provided with a illm of solvent by which the ink on the master sheet is softened sumciently for insuring a limited transfer of such ink to the copy sheets. It is the object of this invention to provide an improved form and arrangement of parts for applying the solvent to the copy sheets.

The construction illustrated is more or less similar to that disclosed and claimed by my copending application, Serial No. 267,516, led April 12, 1939, but it differs therefrom with respect to the means for applying the solvent upon the moistening roller by which the film of solvent'is transferred to the several copy sheets in turn. In the arrangement as shown in the present application, the solvent is sprayed directly upon an auxiliary roller by which the solvent is transferred in the form of a thin film to the meistening roller, adjustable means being provided for controlling the pressure of the auxiliary rolleron the moistening roller so as to control the thickness of the film of solvent applied and thus to control the amount ofthe ink transferred from the master sheet.

It is another object 0f the invention to provide an improved arrangement of parts in which the auxiliary roller is movable toward and from the moistening roller for controlling the pressure against the moistening roller, means being provided below the auxiliary roller for catching and carrying away any surplus solvent which may drip from the auxiliary roller. In the arrangement shown, the means for catching surplus solvent comprises a plate which serves also as guiding means for directing the copy sheets into the bite of the two rollers by which the copy sheets are forwarded.

It is another object of this invention to improve arrangements o-f this type in sundry details hereinafter pointed out. The preferred means by which the several objects have been attained are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through a duplicating machine embodying my improvements;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken substantially at the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially at the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig; 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on an enlarged scale substantially at the line @-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially at the line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 3 but showing a modied form of construction; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional View illustrating in detail the construction of one of the rollers used.

Referring now to Figs. l to 5, in which corresponding parts are indicated by the same referenc characters, li) and Il indicate frame members formed of sheet metal in the form of housings at opposite sides of the machine connected together at their lower ends by cross positioned frame parts l2. Each of the side frame members l0 and H is provided with a reinforcing plate i3 rigidly secured thereto. A drum I@ is rotatably mounted in position between the frame members l@ and Il by means of a heavy shaft l5' which is provided with a gear l5 meshing with a pinion il rigidly mounted upon a shaft I8 which preferably is provided with a crank handle (not shown) for giving the drum it the desired rotary movement. As is usual in devices of this type, the drum lll is provided With a series of grippers lli mounted upon a shaft 2l) and normally pressed by springs 2i into operative position for holding a master sheet 22 upon the face of the drum, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3.

Underneath the drum It, a platen roller 23 is provided rotatably mounted between levers 24 by means of a heavy shaft 25, the levers 26 being pivotally mounted upon pins 2t carried by the framework of the machine. The lower ends of -the levers 2&1 are provided with rods 21 rigidly mounted therein so as to bear at their forward ends against cams 28 rotatably mounted in position by means of a shaft 29. The arrangement is such that upon a rotation of the shaft 29 the levers 2li can be swung in clockwise direction in Fig. l for causing the impression roller 23 to press with the desired degree of pressure against the drum Hl.

The means for forwarding copy sheets into the bite of the drum Hl and the platen roller 23 comprises two rollers 39 and 3l rotatably mounted in position between the frame members lll and l! by means of shafts S2 and 33 respectively, such rollers being mounted in cooperative relation to each other for moving copy sheets forwardly toward the right in Fig. 3 into the bite of the drum and the platen roller. In

the arrangement shown, the shaft 33 is supported by levers 34 at opposite sides of the machine pivotally mounted at intermediate points by means of machine screws 35, springs 36 being connected between the rear end portions of the levers and pins 31 carried by the frame members I3 for pressing the roller 3| forcibly against the roller 30.'

For supporting a pile 38 of copy sheets in position to be fed one at a time to the forwarding rollers 30 and 3|, I have provided a table 39 which at its forward edge extends into close proximity to the roller 3 I, as is best shown in Fig. 3. Adjustable side bars 40 of any suitable type are mounted upon the table 33 for holdin-g the sheets 38 in superposed position with respect to each other.

The means for applying solvent upon the moistening roller 3D comprises an auxiliary roller 4| rotatably mounted between arms or levers 42 pivotally mounted by means of machine screws 43 secured by means of screw-threads in lugs 44 extending inwardly from the end frame members I3 and I I. At their upper ends, the levers 42 are provided with screw-threaded bolts 45 pivotally mounted thereon and extending rearwardly from the levers through lugs 46 carried by plates 4T rigidly mounted in position by means of the screws 35 and 43. Upon the rear ends of the bolts 45 in rear of the lugs 45, I have mounted coiled springs 48 which are pressed forwardly by thumb nuts 49 mounted by means of screwthreads on said bolts. The arrangement is such that the springs 48 serve to press the roller 4I forwardly toward the moistening roller 30 for controlling the pressure between said two rollers and vcausing the roller 4| to rotate in clockwise direction in Fig. 3 so as to carry its upper face portion toward the roller 35.

Means is provided for applying solvent upon the upper face of the roller 4|, such means comprising a tube or pipe 50 provided with a series of perforations in its lower face, such pipe being mounted in position for spraying solvent therefrom through the openings 5I upon the face of the roller 4| Solvent is supplied under pressure to the pipe 56 by means of a pump 52 of any suitable type arranged to take solvent from a receptacle 53 and deliver it through a pipe 54 connected with the pipe 50, as is best shown in Fig. 3. In the arrangement shown, a check valve 55 is provided in the pipe 54 for preventing return of the solvent through said pipe to the receptacle 53. The pump 52 is operated by means of a lever 56 pivotally mounted on the frame of the machine by means of a machine screw 5l, the lever 55 being connected with the piston rod 58 of the pump, as is clearly shown in Fig. l. is pivotally mounted by means of the machine screw 57, with a lug 60 thereon engaging the bottom face of the lever 55 so that downward movement of the lever 59 causes upward movement of the lever 56. A roller 6I carried by the lever 59 is actuated by a cam 52 carried by the drum I 4 so that the lever 59 is given a downward stroke upon each revolution of the drum, such stroke of the lever being effected against the action of a coiled spring 63 mounted between the lever 59 and a frame bar 64. The arrangement is su'ch that upon each revolution of the drum the pump is given an operative stroke for delivering solvent from the receptacle upon the upper face of the roller 4| by which the solvent is carried immediately toward the roller 30 and deposited in the bight or trough between the rollers 33 and 4|.

A second lever 59- Underneath the roller 4|, I have provided a shield 65 in the form of a cross plate carried by the vertically positioned frame plates 41, such cross plate being cormected rigidly with. end plates 66 so as to provide a shallow receptacle beneath the roller 4I. At opposite ends, this shallow receptacle is connected with a drain pipe 6l which in turn is connected by a pipe 68 with the recepetacle 53 for catching and returning to the receptacle any surplus solvent which may drip from the roller 4|.

At opposite ends of the rollers 36 and 4 I, I have provided lbearing blocks 69 carried by plates 'I6 secured at their upper ends upon the end plates 66 by means of rivets 1|. As is best shown in Fig. 5, the bearing blocks 69 are slidably mounted upon pins 'I2 extending inwardly from the plates "I0, such bearing blocks being pressed inwardly toward the rollers 4| and 30 by means of coiled springs I3 interposed between the blocks and the plates 10. The arrangement is such that the blocks 69 serve effectively as end seals for preventing the escape of solvent from the ends of the rollers 30 and 4|, and particularly as a means to prevent solvent from passing around the roller ends and downwardly to the surface of the roller 30 below its engagement with the roller 4|. The lower ends of the blocks extend down over the ends of the roller 4| to drain any solvent that is on the blocks away from the roller 30.

For protecting the master sheet 22 against possible splashing of solvent thereon, I have provided a shield I4 opposite the front face of the roller 30.

The means provided for rotating the moisten- A ing roller 30 comprises a large gear 'I5 constrained to rotate with the drum I4 and meshing with a pinion 'I6 rotatably mounted in position upon a stud 'I'I carried by the framework, such pinion 'I6 in turn meshing with a pinion 18 carried by the shaft 32 of said moistening roller 30. The arrangement is such that when the drum is driven in counterclockwise direction in Fig. 1, the roller 30 is driven also in counterclockwise direction at substantially the same surface speed so as to carry a copy sheet forwardly toward the right in Fig. 1 between the roller 30 and the vcooperating roller 3|. When a sheet is carried forward by the rollers 30 and 3|, it is brought thereby into the bite of the drum I4 and the platen roller 23, the parts being driven in such timed relation as to cause the copy sheet to have the desired registration with the master sheet 22, as is well understood in devices of this type. From the drum and the platen roller, the copy sheet passes forward into position in a tray 19. For effecting the desired registration of the copy sheet with the master sheet, the cam 62 is provided with a recess at one point in its periphery adapted by engagement with the roller 6I to give the operator a signal, calling for the stoppage of the rotation of the drum for the insertion of a copy sheet into the bite of the forwarding rollers 30 and 3|.

In operation, when the drum is stopped in the position as shown in Fig. 1, a copy sheet is fed from the pile 38 into the bite of the rollers 30 and 3|, such sheet being directed into position by the forwardly extending portion of the table 39 and the shield plate 65. After a sheet is thus placed in operative position, the drum I4 is again rotated for carrying the copy sheet forward to the bite of the drum I4 and the platen roller 23 into registration with the master sheet 22 for the duplication of the master sheet subject matter uponthe top face of thecopy sheet.A The amount ofv ink transferred from the master sheet to the copy sheet depends both upon the amount of solvent carried bythe moistening `roller Sii and transferred to the copy sheet and the strength of pressure of the platen 23 against the drum.

The thicknessV of the film of solvent upon the roller 3B is controlled` largely `by the pressure between the auxiliary` roller di and the moistening roller 3i), an increasein the `pressure serving to cut down thev thickness of the film of solvent applied upon the moistening roller 3Q.

I have found by the use of my invention that very satisfactory results have been attained, the lm of solvent upon the moistening rollerv il@ being very even and very easily controlled so as to produce either light or heavy copies as desired `and so as to conserve-the master sheet to a high degree where heavy copies are not required.

In the arrangement as illustrated, the rollers Si) and 4l are of solidformation, being formed preferably of rubber or of composition resembling rubbenwhile the roller 3! is preferably formed of sponge rubber or the-like. In the preferred form of construction, the faces of the rollers 3B and 3| are smooth and imperforate. lIhe surface of the roller 4i is preferably covered with iine spaced longitudinally running grooves as shown vat 4 Ibvin Fig. 7. rl'hese grooves are roughlyabout .0Q2 inch to .003 inch in depth and width and are spaced apart about .005 inch. The roller il is preferably of a hard material such as a synthetic resin or casein plastic, metal, hard rubber or similar material that can be machined accurately and roughened uniformly. Also, this roller should be of substantial rigidity so as .to avoid appreciably bending due to its pressure against the roller 3S. In this combination the roller sii is preferably somewhat softer and resilient so that a surface engagement (as contrasted to a line engagement) may be obtained between the rollers lli and 3B. With such a combination the amount of liquid passing between the rollers di and 35 may be correctly proportioned by the grooves 41h to apply the proper amount of moisture to a copy sheet.

For cutting down to a minimum the evaporation of solvent in the use of the machine, I have provided a cover plate 8i above the rollers lli and 3Q adapted normally to close the space between the plate 65 and the plate ifi, such cover plate 3! being pivotally mounted upon rivets 82 so as to enable the plate readily to be swung upwardly and backwardly for access to the rollers when desired.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 6, the construction is the same as that above described, except that an additional shield plate 33 is provided for preventing the solvent delivered by the pipe 58 from splashing upon the moistening roller 3i? so as to insure more perfect control of the thickness of the lm of solvent upon the moistening roller. In the arrangement shown, the shield plate 83 is supported by the pipe 5t.

While I prefer to employ the construction and arrangement as shown, my invention is not to be limited to such construction and arrangement except so far as Vthe claims may be so limited, it being understood that changes might well be made in the form and arrangement of parts witifor. movingk acopy-sheet'forvrardly between them, means for. rotating said rollers in the direction for forwarding a copy sheet, a third roller rotatably mounted in engagement with therear face of thegupper one' of saidrst-named two rollers, and means .for applying a supply of solvent on said third roller at its upper face portion in position to be carried quickly to the downwardly moving `face portion ofY said. upper roller and spread thereon under pressure inthe form of a thin film.

2. A moistening apparatus comprising in combination two rollers rotatably mounted in position one above thev other in cooperative relation for movinga copy sheet forwardly between them, means for rotating said rollers in the direction for forwardinga copy sheet, a third roller rotatably mounted onan axis movable toward and from the upper one of said first-named two rollers so as to rotate in engagement with the rear face `portion of .said upper roller, means for applying a supply of liquid on said third roller so as to establish a pool of the liquid between said one roller and said third roller, yielding means for pressing said third roller toward said upper roller for causing saidV liquid to be spread in a thin lm on said upper roller, and means for adjusting the effective strength of said yielding means for varying the thickness of the film of liquid applied to said upper roller.

3. A moistening apparatus comprising in combination two rollers rotatably mounted in position one above the other in cooperative relation for moving la copy sheet forwardly between them, means for rotating said rollers in the direction for forwarding a copy sheet, a thirdroller rotatably mounted in engagement with the upper one of said first-named two rollers, means for spraying a supply of liquid on said third roller so as to be spread under pressure in a thin film on said upper roller, and means for preventing 'the sprayed liquid from splashing onto said upper roller.

4. A moistening apparatus comprising in cornbination two rollers rotatably mounted in position one above the other in cooperative relation for moving a copy sheet forwardly between them, means for rotating vsaid rollers in the direction for forwarding a copy sheet, a third roller rotatably mounted in engagement with the upper one of said first-named two rollers, means for spraying a supply of liquid on said third roller so as to be spread under pressure in a thin film on said upper roller, and a shield in the form of `a plate depending from the spraying means serving to prevent the solvent from splashing directly onto said upper roller.

5. A moistening apparatus comprising in combination two rollers rotatably mounted in position one above the other in cooperative relation to each other for moving a copy sheet forwardly between them, means for rotating said rollers in the direction for forwarding a copy sheet, a third roller rotatably mounted in engagement with one of said two rollers, a plate extending toward said third roller in substantially radial position with respect thereto, and means for projecting a supply of liquid substantially along the face of said plate onto sai-d third roller so as to be spread under pressure in a thin film on said one roller for application to a copy sheet forwarded in contact therewith.

8. A moistening apparatus comprising in combination two rollers rotatably mounted in position one above the other. in cooperative relation for moving a copy sheet forwardly between them, means for rotating said rollers in the direction for forwarding a copy sheet, a third roller rotatably. mounted in engagement with one of said first-named two rollers, and means for applying a supply of solvent on said third roller at its upper face portion in position to Vbe carried quickly to the downwardly moving face portion of said oney roller and spread thereon under pressure in the form of a thin film.

'7. A moistening apparatus comprising in combination two rollers rotatably mounted in position one above the other in cooperative relation for moving a copysheet forwardly between them,

means for rotating said rollers in the direction for forwarding a copy sheet, a third roller rotatably mounted in engagement with the upper one of said rst-named two rollers, end seals bearing on the end faces of said third roller and the upper one of said first-named two rollers, said end seals having downwardly extending portions for directing any solvent thereon toward the third roller below its engagement with the upper roller.

8. A moistening apparatus comprising in combination two rollers rotatably mounted in position one above the other in cooperative relation for moving a copy sheet forwardly between them, means for rotating said rollers in the direction for forwarding 'a copy sheet, a third roller rotatably mounted in engagement with the upper one of said first-named two rollers, end seals bearing on the end faces of said third roller land the upper one of said first-named two rollers, said end seals having downwardly extending portions for directing any solvent thereon toward the third roller below its engagement with the upper roller, said third roller having a hard surface uniformly iinished with fine longitudinally running grooves.

9. A moistening apparatus comprising in combination two forwarding rollers rotatably mounted in position one above the other in cooperative relation for moving a copy sheet forwardly between them, means for rotating said rollers `in the direction for forwarding a copy sheet, a third roller rotatably mounted in engagement with the upper forwarding roller, means for'deliverin'g a supply of liquid on said third roller above its line of contact with said upper forwarding roller for passage'downwardly between the third roller and saidvupper forwarding roller so as to be spread in la thin lm on the ydownwardly moving face portion of said upper forwarding roller, and means comprising a plate underneath said third roller serving to catch and carry away any surplus liquid dripping from said third roller and serving also as la guard for directing copy sheets thereunder to the bite of said forwarding rollers.

STEPHEN KOKAY. 

